What is an IQ2 Short? It is an animated argument, a distilled version of a debate containing only its most powerful moments and arguments.
 
This is our second video in the Shorts series, in which the motion ‘The Jasmine Revolution will wither in North Africa’ is opposed by NY Times columnist Roger Cohen and backed by Egyptian Youth Activist Nora Ayman.
 
Nora’s argument is strong; she wholeheartedly approves of democracy as a concept, yet believes that the multiple powers of Egypt, along with their differing ideologies, demonstrate that conditions are not yet ready to pave the way for democracy. Certainly not a democracy which will deliver the expectations the youth are seeking. Ayman does not see how the spirit of Tahir Square has, or can, disseminate to the streets of Egypt.

Roger Cohen meanwhile believes that Egypt has the substantial building blocks for a freer, more successful society. It shall not be easy; it will be messy and brutal, but to him, democracy is achieved through allowing societies to move and evolve. He quotes young Arabs, who are suddenly discovering what it is to have the capacity to change things, to control their own lives: ‘this is the first time I feel my life is worth anything. The first time my actions can actually make a difference’. He believes social media lies behind much of this change, contributing to a different world, and we cannot go back.

This event was staged in collaboration with the Open Society Institute (OSI), the British Council and the International Debate Educational Association (IDEA). It was also the first of a kind for IQ2, as the audience was comprised solely of students and young activists.